Making a Way in the Wilderness.

Emergency Storm-Damage Tree Extraction

0000 W. Sample Rd. – Sample Township, Indiana

Kuiper Vegetation Management, LLC ("KVM") will perform emergency dismantling and extraction of the storm-damaged, uprooted tree presently resting on, against, and/or within the residence. The work is intended to remove the tree as safely as reasonably possible under the existing emergency conditions.

The existing uprooted stump/root plate will be left untouched as part of the base contract. As weight is removed from the tree, KVM expects the root plate may settle or rotate back toward the existing root cavity. Its exact final position cannot be predicted or guaranteed, and it may not return to its original position, grade, stability, or appearance.

KVM will require reasonable access to the interior of the residence during portions of the removal. Interior access may be necessary to inspect and monitor the tree's position, observe structural/tree movement, reach tree material, and/or cut trunk sections that cannot safely be handled solely from outside.

A utility/service conductor is presently trapped and/or located between the storm-damaged tree and the residence. KVM has been informed that NIPSCO disconnected electrical power to the property following the storm. KVM has not independently verified that all conductors at or around the structure are de-energized.

The property owner/customer is responsible for disclosing any known generator, alternate electrical source, electrical modification, or other source capable of energizing the property. If KVM determines that electrical conditions present an unacceptable hazard, KVM may immediately suspend operations until the hazard has been evaluated, isolated, disconnected, grounded, removed, or otherwise made safe by the appropriate utility and/or qualified electrical professional.

KVM employees will not intentionally cut, move, disconnect, repair, or perform electrical work on utility conductors as part of this tree-removal proposal. A safety-related delay caused by electrical or utility conditions will not constitute abandonment or failure by KVM to perform the contracted work.

The customer acknowledges that the tree and property are presently in an abnormal, storm-damaged, and unstable condition. The tree has been uprooted and is resting upon and/or within an already damaged structure. The tree, root plate, damaged structure, surrounding soil, utilities, and attached debris may move, shift, settle, rotate, spring, roll, break, or collapse as the tree is dismantled and its weight and pressure are redistributed.

Removal of limbs and trunk sections will change the tree's balance, loading, and bearing pressure against the structure. These movements cannot be predicted with certainty. KVM may change its removal sequence, rigging, equipment placement, access method, or other means and methods as site conditions change.

KVM's goal is to remove the tree/log without causing additional damage whenever reasonably possible. However, because of the existing storm damage and unstable conditions, KVM cannot guarantee that extraction will occur without additional movement or damage.

1. protection of human life and prevention of bodily injury
2. protection of workers and emergency personnel
3. prevention of catastrophic or uncontrolled movement of the tree/structure
4. protection of equipment and surrounding property
5. minimization of additional property damage

The customer understands and accepts that additional damage may occur as an unavoidable consequence of safely extracting the tree from the already damaged structure, despite KVM exercising reasonable care. Potentially affected areas include, without limitation, the roof, siding, framing, foundation, interior finishes, lawn, landscaping, driveway/access areas, drainage, and above-ground or underground utilities.

KVM will take reasonable precautions and consider foreseeable cause-and-effect outcomes as the work progresses. Nothing in this proposal is intended to excuse KVM from responsibility that cannot lawfully be waived; rather, this section documents the unusual pre-existing hazards and risks inherent in the requested emergency work.

Heavy equipment may be required. Wet/soft ground, groundwater, and emergency access conditions may result in rutting, compaction, turf damage, soil displacement, or other disturbance. Lawn, landscape, grading, rut, or ground repairs are not included in the $12,345.00 base contract. If requested, KVM may perform such restoration later on a separate time-and-material basis, subject to site conditions.

KVM is not responsible for pre-existing or concealed conditions that could not reasonably be identified before work begins, including hidden structural damage, compromised framing or foundation components, septic systems, drain fields, irrigation, private utility lines, buried wiring, drainage systems, or other underground improvements not properly identified or disclosed. If an unknown condition materially changes the work required for safe completion, KVM may stop work and discuss additional work/cost before proceeding when reasonably practicable.

A $6,172.50 down payment is required before KVM mobilizes for this project. The remaining $6,172.50 balance is due immediately upon completion of the contracted tree-removal scope. Optional stump/root-plate work, restoration, or other additional services are separate from the $12,345.00 base contract and require separate authorization.

The photographs below document visible storm damage and site conditions before KVM begins the contracted removal work. They are incorporated into this proposal as part of the pre-work condition record.

By signing below, the customer confirms that they have reviewed this proposal, including the scope of work, payment terms, optional stump/root-plate work, electrical hazard disclosure, storm-damage risk acknowledgment, site-access provisions, and attached pre-work photographs. The customer authorizes Kuiper Vegetation Management, LLC to proceed under these terms after receipt of the required $6,172.50 down payment.